spinal headache after cerclage - part whine, part ?

Descanso*Bride

I had a cerclage placed on Tuesday and all went well.  Yesterday morning I got a blinding headache that has continued through today.  I am nauseous and the headache is literally the worst pain I have ever had in my life.  It almost completely subsides, though, when I am lying down. The second I sit or stand up, though, it comes shooting back.

My house is a wreck and my poor 2 y.o. has been watching movies all day yesterday and this morning.   I had to skip my birthday dinner last night.

I just spoke with my OB and he said it sounds like a classic spinal headache.  He said to drink some very strong coffee as the caffeine can help and lie down for the rest of the day.  If the headache is still there tomorrow, I might have to go back to the hospital for the anesthesiologist to do a "blood patch".  I looked that up and it sounds like super fun.

Has anyone else had a spinal headache?  Did it go away by itself or did you have to do a blood patch?  If it went away by itself, how long did it take?

I really, really, really hope this cerclage does it's job.

Pamela05

I had one after a spinal tap.  The best thing you can do is lots and lots of fluids and lie down a lot.  It's caused by seepage of the fluid in your spinal column.  Keeping horizontal helps reduce the pressure contributing to the leakage and the water helps your body generate more fluid to replace it quicker.

Matkinson08

I had one that kept me hospitalized after my c-section for 6 days.  If the pain doesn't subside after a couple days you should go back to your doctor/hospital for more aggressive treatment.  It took two rounds of IV caffeine drips, one over 2 hours and one over 8 hours, to finally knock it out.  Not sure that they would use that method while still pregnant, but I'm sure there are alternatives that can give you relief.

egingras

I had one before I was pg from an unrelated spinal.  Once they did te blood patch, I was 100%.

 

FWIW, the blood patch was heaven compared to the headache.

 

Feel better!

sescms2004

This happened to me too, about 48 hrs after my cerclage.  I get headaches fairly often, but this was excruciating....I feel your pain.  I was also vomiting with mine. This is what my peri recommended:

1.  Try Excedrin Migraine formula - it's acetamenophen plus caffeine.

2. If that doesn't work, there is a headache prescription med that is safe during pg called Fiorocet.  Works like magic.  It's acetamenophen + caffeine + a mild sedative.

3. Blood patch

The excedrin worked for me, but the Fiorocet worked better.  GL!